Share via

A 61-year-old grandfather has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for sending
“vulgar” text messages unflattering to the Queen of Thailand in the latest
harsh sentence under the country’s controversial lèse-majesté laws.

Ampon Tangnoppakul, a retired lorry driver who suffers from cancer, was
informed of the sentence over a video link because continuing floods
prevented him from being transported to the Bangkok Criminal Court. His
children and grandchildren wept in the courtroom as it was announced.

Mr Ampon was arrested last year for allegedly sending four text messages
judged to be insulting to Queen Sirikit. He has denied even